DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 29: Shabnim Ismail of South Africa celebrates her 100 t20 wicket during the 1st Womens T20 International match between Momentum Proteas and Pakistan Women at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on January 29, 2021 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
Shabnim Ismail becomes first SA woman to claim 100 T20I wickets
Shabnim Ismail became only the fourth woman in Twenty20 International cricket to claim 100 wickets at Kingsmead this afternoon.
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – JANUARY 29: Shabnim Ismail of South Africa celebrates her 100 t20 wicket during the 1st Womens T20 International match between Momentum Proteas and Pakistan Women at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on January 29, 2021 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
Proteas fast bowler Shabnim Ismail became only the fourth woman in Twenty20 International cricket to claim 100 wickets as she helped her side beat Pakistan.
The Proteas cantered to victory by eight wickets in their T20I series-opener at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Friday.
Shabnim Ismail joins elite club
Tazmin Brits also struck an unbeaten 52 off 54 balls (3 fours), as South Africa comfortably chased down a 125-run victory target with six deliveries to spare.
Brits formed one half of a key 69-run second-wicket partnership with Marizanne Kapp. Allrounder Kapp was another player that enjoyed a stellar game ending as the pick of the bowlers with three for 24 on top of striking 28 off 27 balls with the bat.
Before that, however, it was Ismail that claimed the accolades by joining the rare 100 club that so far includes just three others: West Indian Anisa Mohammed (120), Australia’s Ellyse Perry (114) and Anya Shrubsole (102) of England. Pakistan’s Nida Dar, who played in the match is on 98 wickets herself.
Ismail returned figures of two for 20 in four overs to ensure that the tourists did not runaway towards a big total after Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first.
Pakistan lost wickets regularly throughout and had to rely on middle-order trio of Kainat Imtiaz (24), Ayesha Naseem (31) and Nida Dar (22) not out to get them to a competitive total. Only Muneeba Ali (21) amongst the top four managed to cross the 20 mark.
Apart from Kapp and Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka (1/24) and Masabata Klaas (1/22) also managed a wicket each.
For Pakistan to have a chance their bowlers needed to strike early, but that never happened as Lizelle Lee (22) and Brits provided a solid start for the home side.
They put on 38 together before the former fell to Aiman Answer (2/29), but Kapp then arrived and picked up the pace, before Laura Wolvaardt (15*), batting in her new middle-order role, arrived to finish the job.
Game two in the three-match series takes place on Sunday. South Africa sealed the One-Day International series 3-0 earlier this week.
Pakistan tour to South Africa – Fixtures and results
ODI
20 Jan 21 – Momentum Proteas beat Pakistan Women by 3 runs – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium (10h00)
23 Jan 21 – Momentum Proteas beat Pakistan Women by 13 runs – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium (10h00)
26 Jan 21 – Momentum Proteas beat Pakistan Women by 32 runs – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium (10h00)
T20I
29 Jan 21 – Momentum Proteas beat Pakistan Women by 8 wickets – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium (15h30)
31 Jan 21 – Momentum Proteas v Pakistan Women – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium (15h30)
03 Feb 21 – Momentum Proteas v Pakistan Women – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium (15h30)
